Odisha CM demands smart city tag for 3 more cities

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to accord the smart city tag to three more cities in the state - Sambalpur, Berhampur and Cuttack.

The chief minister was interacting with the Prime Minister on video conference from Pune on Saturday when he made this demand. Modi flew down to Pune for the first anniversary celebrations of the launch of the Smart City mission though the city was adjudged second.

While talking to the Prime Minister, Naveen recalled the devastation super cyclone had caused in 1999. "The state's infrastructure was damaged, but I am happy that in the past 16 years, we have been able to build a city that got the smartest tag," the chief minister said, adding, "Now the city takes pride in the flourishing top notch IT companies. Gradually, it is becoming eastern India's IT hub."

Welcoming the Centre's move to launch the smart city mission, Naveen said he hoped that the "Centre would include three more cities as they have evinced interest to get the coveted tag". He lauded his government's efforts to bring new policies in housing, land development, urban infrastructure and investment.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister launched a competition titled 'Make Your City Smart' across the country. He appreciated the spirit of the people of Bhubaneswar in putting a great effort to make their city the smartest one. He called upon the people to give their ideas for the city they want to see in future.

On Saturday, the BMC celebrated the first anniversary of the launch of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation programme (Amrut). The housing and urban development minister laid the foundation stone for two parks under Amrut.